Can You Eat Leftover Turkey If You're Pregnant? Yes, But With Extra Caution

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I can't be the only one who thinks that Thanksgiving turkey tastes even better the following day, right? Although I prefer my turkey warm, I know my family loves making cold turkey sandwiches with the Thanksgiving leftovers. I was having this discussion with a friend of mine who is currently expecting, and she asked me a question that had me stumped: can you eat leftover turkey if you're pregnant? It turns out that there are quite a few holiday meals that raise red flags when you have a bun in the oven.

The main concern that doctor's have is the proper handling and cooking of food. The Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) noted that there is a big risk of salmonella infection from eating improperly cooked turkey and stuffing. But, even if everything was done correctly from the market to the table, foods that are surrounded by many people and touched by many hands are exposed to germs and bacteria.

The USDA's website notes that most people can eat leftover Thanksgiving turkey — cold or reheated — as long as it was properly handled, cooked, and refrigerated. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned that because your immune system is weakened during pregnancy, it is harder for your body to fight off harmful microorganisms that cause foodborne illness. This means you should use extra caution and always reheat your leftover turkey to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.